What a game in the Windy City last night. Who would have bet Joey Joe Joe would have kept his good vibe alive?I'll be the first to admit that I surely didn't. Saunders follow up his complete game shutout against the A's with a 7.67 inning effort, allowing just 4 hits and 1 run, while punching out 4. He may not have been on the top of his game, but he sure pitched well. He was pissed in a Lackey-esque manner when he got the hook, but I guess it had to be. Fernando Rodney came back from vacation to get an easy punchout, and the Brian Fuentes and his mustache earned the save despite giving up a big jack to Paul Konerko (who is some kind of homerun machine these days). Tito survived what would have been a murder in the press, and the Angels walked away with a nice 3-2 win.
It was Big Game Hunter, trying to respond to my previous post about finding our offensive leader, who ripped his third homerun in as many games, nailing a two run job to give us our push. The third run was scored with some solid baserunning leading to an error and a run. Napoli's speed is something to be feared! Notable notes from the game include the 0'fer nights from Aybar, HK, K-Mo, Brandon Wood, and Godzilla. Wood's highlight came when he was up on a count 3-0 and was somehow able to work himself a strikeout. The Halos were really able to squeak this one out, managing their three runs on just three hits. That won't do it every night, but it worked last night.
At 19-23, we're still 4.5 back of Texas, 1.5 back of the A's, and 4 up on the 2010 AL West Champs from Seattle. ESPN is so stupid. Game two of our second two game series this week kicks off in 3+ hours with El Rosario (2-3, 4.25) battling former Friar Jake Peavy (3-2, 5.37). Peavy is 3-0 in May after a slow start, so Erv better be on his game.
This time of year, and with this kind of record, we start getting into the idea of various trade rumors. Who better to give us such an article than the morons at the OC Register? This time it's Sam Miller and Dan Woike providing the dribble, and it makes no sense. For starters, the "article" is a back-and-forth conversation between the two beat writers. They argue about their best ideas for Angel deadline acquisitions to help this team win it all. Shall we disect a few?
Bobby Jenks (White Sox): The article argues that Brian Fuentes needs t be removed from the closer role, and the Halos should trade for Jenks, who was recently dumped from his team's closer role. Two issues with this one- 1) Bobby Jenks was an Angel. He came up in the system, and it would be weird after letting him go, if we gave up something to get him back and 2) I hate the idea that Fuentes needs to be dumped from the closer role. He already has 5 saves, his K/9 is still at 10, and he's still good. Get back to me at the end of the season and let me know how you like him. Besides, we'd clearly replace Fuentes with a closer from within (Rodney) if we did it. Which we won't.
Carlos Beltran (Mets): Really? Do we need an injury prone, old, overpaid outfielder to add to the lineup? This must be a joke, right guys?
Miguel Tejada (O's): Another injury magnet, adding up the birthdays (both reported and not reported) this doesn't seem like a good option either. Of course, Brandon Wood's failings make all "real" fans around Halo Nation yearn for a 3B deal. But Tejada? This has been one of those Paul Konerko type rumors for Angel fans. It just kind of floats around out there forever. We're not getting Tejada. If Woody gets blasted back to AAA, we'll be seeing Izzy back from the DL and hitting 2nd.
Hunter Pence (Astros): .255/.270 for a BA/OBP line, and this is who we should trade for? They even make the comment that we'd "have to give up quite a bit to get him." Then they go on to say he's an upgrade over Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu. Um, can you prove it with the numbers? JR is hitting .252 with 5 jacks and 17 RBI. Abreu is hitting .271 with a grip of walks and a .352 OBP. And don't talk about age. We have Terry Evans and Peter Bourjos waiting in the wings in Salt Lake, ready to be the next big thing in the OF.
David DeJesus (Royals): They comment, "He's versatile, like Reggie Willits." So now you guys want us to trade players to pick up a glorified Reggie Willits, especially when his contract expires after this year. Give me a break. He's hitting .268 with 14 RBI and 2 stolen bases this year, and you think HE'S the guy to carry us forward. What do you give up for a lifetime .285 hitter with little power? Nothing, in my opinion. We don't need OF help.
Grady Sizemore (Indians): Talk about a player who has collapsed off of his previous lofty pedestal. First off, we have Torii Hunter playing centerfield and don't need another GMJ type situation. Secondly, he's hitting .211 this year. Is this really a suggestion by these morons? I don't even need to address it more than that.
Will Ohman (O's): The former Dodger has shutout the competition in 22 games this year, which is impressive to say the least. Especially considering allowing 10 walks and 9 hits over his 13.67 IP. That's a WHIP of 1.24. I know our bullpen needs help, but we have tons of guys who can't let 1 and 1/4 players reach base every inning, and then get help from other relievers to get out of jams. If he was a free agent for cheap, I'd say that's fine, but to actually trade for Ohman would be silly.
Juan Uribe (Giants): A soon to be 31 year old infielder with a career BA of .257? I agree that he's been resurgent with 24 RBI this season, but he also strikes out once in every five ABs. An older, slightly more contact making, Brandon Wood? I'll pass, my friends.
Roy Oswalt (Astros): Man, this just keeps getting better and better. A highly paid righty starter with a 2-5 record this season? He's already punched out 52, but I'm pretty sure that the Angels aren't interested in adding a huge amount of money on the rotation, when they already feel they have 5 guys who should do well. Kaz may not be coming through, but blowing money (and players) on Oswalt would A) be a huge mistake and B) not be something the Angels would do.
So, I think I dispelled all the great trade ideas presented by the crumb bums from the Register. I hope you keep in mind that I'm generally against trades (I like to bring up the youth) and I generally disagree with anything the "real" media has to say about the Angels. That being said, I hope you think I'm right over these Register "experts."
Enjoy today's game. Let's get the short sweep!
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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